Morgan Dudley on Playing a Young Version of Brandy’s Cinderella in Descendants: The Rise of Red

Ever since the first Descendants Disney Channel Original Movie introduced us to the children of some of Disney's most beloved heroes and villains, we've been hooked on the ongoing story. The newest film, Descendants: The Rise of Red, out today on Disney+, takes the franchise to even more unexpected places.

This time around, it's a time travel adventure following Chloe Charming (the daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming) and Red (daughter of the Queen of Hearts) as they return to the past to undo the events that led the Queen of Hearts down her path of tyranny. Notably, it also stars Brandy and Paolo Montalban, reprising their roles from the 1997 Rodgers & Hammerstein Cinderella film, with actress Morgan Dudley playing the younger version of Cinderella in the past. We got the chance to chat with Morgan to learn more about her love of acting and music, plus why this new role was so meaningful to her, in the interview below.

Sweety High: When did you discover your passion for acting? Was there any specific a-ha moment that made you realize it was the path for you?

Morgan Dudley: I discovered my passion for acting the moment I performed as Glinda for the first time in my high school's production of The Wiz in 11th grade. I'd always loved singing and performing. I've wanted to be a performer since I could crawl, but there was something about that specific feeling I had doing that show one day, living in my character fully and presently, when it clicked for me—I love acting.

(Photo credit: Tommy Flanagan)

 

SH: What would you say was your first big break?

MD: My first big break was definitely playing Frankie Healy in Jagged Little Pill on Broadway! I was so incredibly excited, and it truly changed my life in so many ways. It moved me to New York City by myself, it was the first thing to really get my name out there and it really taught me so much about professional processes.

 

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SH: Were you a fan of the Descendants series before you were cast? What does it mean to you to join such a talented crew?

MD: I was a huge Descendants fan before I was cast. I think I actually manifested being in these movies, because when I was around 10 or 11 years old, I saw the initial article talking about how Kenny Ortega was creating a new project at Disney, and it listed all of the characters, and I just remember wanting so badly to be able to audition and be on Disney Channel. Then, once it came out when I was 14, I was like, "Omg I remember reading about this, this is amazing!" And then I got the audition for this Descendants movie and something inside of me clicked like, "Oh this is meant to be." Our cast is truly such a talented group. I feel so honored every day getting to create with them and just have fun and be little kids again.

(Photo credit: Tommy Flanagan)

 

SH: What does it mean to you to play a brand new version of Cinderella, and a younger version of Brandy?

MD: I'm so incredibly humbled and honored to be playing this new version of Cinderella, and a young Brandy at that! Are you kidding? It's actually nuts. I can't dwell on it for too long or my head will actually explode. Being able to portray such an iconic Disney princess, and especially as a young Black woman, fills me with so much gratitude. Knowing that there are young Black girls who will watch this movie and they'll see Brandy like I saw Brandy, and they'll see me, and they'll see themselves in our characters, and they'll see royalty in themselves—I couldn't ask for a better job.

 

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SH: Would you say you're like Ella in real life? In what ways are you similar, and in what ways are you very different?

MD: I'm very much like Ella in real life, I would say! Connecting to her motivations and thought processes felt very natural to me and who I am. We're both blunt if anything else, but we're also both loyal to the people we love, and ready to fiercely protect them. There is one big difference, however, and that is that between Ella and Morgan—Ella is definitely the skeptical and maybe a bit judgmental one. I'd like to think I'm not super skeptical or quick to make judgments about people based off of an experience from someone else. Everyone gets a clean slate!

(Photo credit: Tommy Flanagan)

 

SH: What was your favorite memory from the set? Any standout moments with the star-studded cast?

MD: One memory that's sticking out to me was a day when Dara Reneé, who plays Uliana, came into my trailer for lunch so we could eat together now what were we talking about? I don't know, but every time I see Dara I get excited, so we were just yapping away. Not even 10 minutes into us being in there, I hear a knock on my door, and when I come out, it's one of the crew asking us if everything was okay because he, quote, "Heard screaming and felt the trailer shaking." So, we burst out laughing because nothing was wrong, of course, but we didn't realize our expressive conversation had turned into something so cacophonous that our crew didn't think we were safe. I wonder if she remembers that.

 

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SH: Is there anything you can't wait for fans to see in the movie?

MD: I can't wait for fans to see the special effects! Before watching it myself, I would have told you the songs and dances, and trust that it still rings true, but OMG the special effects are so impressive! I just can't wait for people to see it!

 

SH: Where else can we see your work right now?

MD: Right now, you can see my work in A Tourist's Guide to Love on Netflix and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on AppleTV+!

(Photo credit: Tommy Flanagan)

 

SH: What else are you working on that you have coming up?

MD: There is an album in the works! Right now, we're working hard to make sure it's amazing, so it's something that I am so extremely proud of, and I can't wait to share it with everyone.

 

For more interviews with incredible actors, click HERE to read our story with X-Men '97 voice actor JP Karliak.